High-Tech Devices Now Monitoring Teen Driving Habits

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – Teenage drivers are three times more likely than adults to be involved in a fatal crash.

That’s one reason why more and more parents are purchasing driver monitor devices – and these devices are getting high-tech.

To see how they work, KDKA-TV teamed up with a local family. We purchased a Mobile Asset Solutions monitor and had it mounted inside their teenage daughter Alexis’ car. We tracked the results for 12 days.

Over each of the 12 days, we received e-mail alerts every time Alexis turned her car on and off, and also when she drove over 35 miles per hour – a limit set by her mother, Shelley.

The device can’t tell if Alexis was speeding, because during those times she was clocked at higher than 35 mph, she could have been in a higher speed limit zone.

However, the device did show Alexis never slammed on her brakes or accelerated quickly. Alexis proved she’s a careful driver, but learning she was being tracked was still a bit of a shock.

“I think for kids who are a little more irresponsible, I think it would be a good thing because it shows there are punishments for your actions,” Alexis said.

There are several similar devices being sold right now.

The one we purchased was $119 – for the more discrete version.

The regular plug-in version is cheaper, around $75.

After the initial cost of the device, you also pay a monthly fee for the reports. Those can range from $15 to $35 per month, depending on how frequently you want the device to be checked.

Options are anywhere from every minute to every 15 minutes. Several car insurance companies are also now offering a break on insurance rates just for installing certain tracking devices, even if it shows you’re not a great driver.

The companies feel that just by having the device in the car, the driver is more aware of safety improvements that can be made.